‘Where does it end?’: Readers react to gas-powered leaf blower bans

Arlington and Lexington have moved to phase out gas-powered leaf blowers, but many of our readers are not ready to let them go. After the two towns approved new restrictions tied to noise and emissions, we asked readers whether they agree with bans on the machines. 

The responses were pretty clear. Of the more than 250 readers who responded, a 73% majority said gas-powered leaf blowers should be allowed, while 26% backed the bans. Another 1% selected “other.”

Why most readers are against the ban

Readers who opposed the bans largely saw them as impractical. This was especially true for readers with larger yards or more demanding landscaping needs. Bo M. of Chelmsford called the restrictions “unreasonable,” writing that electric blowers “do not work well enough on larger, tree-heavy yards.”

Some readers also questioned whether leaf blowers are the environmental issue towns should be prioritizing. Johnathan B. of Westborough said local governments have “other pressing issues to worry about,” while Dan of Framingham argued the ban “hurts businesses” and have only a minimal environmental impact.

Other readers were not against regulation altogether. They instead said the towns should have focused on limiting when leaf blowers can be used rather than banning gas-powered ones outright. Norris B. of Concord argued that restricted hours would have been “a good first step” while battery technology improves.

Why some readers are for the ban

Readers who backed the bans mostly pointed to the same issues: noise, fumes, and the feeling that gas-powered leaf blowers can take over an entire neighborhood. Karen U. wrote that in some areas the noise can be “nonstop for hours,” with crews leaving behind a smell that “lingers long after they are gone.”

Others said the problem goes beyond annoyance. Brendan of Lynn called the machines “incredibly obnoxious” and said they can trigger asthma. A smaller group also framed gas-powered blowers as outdated, arguing it is “past time to go battery” and criticizing their reliance on fossil fuels.

Below is a sample of reader responses. Responses may be lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Do you agree with laws banning gas-powered leaf blowers?

No, they should be allowed.

Electric leaf blowers are very noisy, too, and don’t have the power gas blowers do, so people have to work longer and harder. It will cost customers a lot more. — A Boston.com reader

My leaf blower is a lot less harmful to these towns than sitting in my truck in their horrible traffic going nowhere. — A Boston.com reader

This will be a costly issue, and no one needs this right now. There are other ways to bring about change. Why do we keep hoisting the cost on taxpayers? — A Boston.com reader

What will be next? — A Boston.com reader

Where does it end? Skilled workers need proper equipment to do work safely, efficiently, and on time. — Michael J., Westford

Poor landscapers. These rich people don’t have to rake, but pay some laborer who has to rake. — Joe M., A Boston.com reader

This is America. These are tools that help people, and the government stepping in to regulate a product with no actual negative medical reason is overreach. It is about as logical as trying to ban plastic. — Chris, A former Belmont resident

It’s unreasonable to place these restrictions on necessary lawn tools. Electric blowers do not work well enough on larger, tree-heavy yards, and add unnecessary time and energy. An equitable decision would’ve been to place time constraints on their usage. — Bo M., Chelmsford

Leaves are overwhelming in the suburbs, and we should be able to remove them how we choose on our own property. — A Boston.com reader, Boxford

Seriously, this is what we’re wasting our time with? — Matt, Concord

Because local governments have other pressing issues to worry about: crumbling roads, crumbling sidewalks, school systems that need funds instead of asking for fundraisers, and increasing homelessness — not some 50cc gas leaf blower. This is why this ruling class is out of touch with its own citizens. — Johnathan B., Westborough

As a landscaper providing services with gas-powered equipment, battery alternatives are very expensive and do not run as long. It is easy to target our industry because we are a mom-and-pop business. Why are we not all driving electric vehicles? Gas-powered vehicles are bigger polluters. Then we all need to start raising our prices because of the restrictions. Gee, I wonder what our customers have to say about that one. — Shamus, A Boston.com reader

I own multiples of both types of blowers, and I don’t think there is much of a difference in noise between electric and gas. Electric blowers have an annoying high-pitch whine and barely have enough power to do my driveway. For the majority of house lots, they just aren’t good enough. Rather than a complete ban on gas blowers, I think a good first step would have been restricted hours. Hopefully gas and electric blower manufacturers can figure out a way to make them quieter, and hopefully battery technologies vastly improve to make electric blowers feasible for bigger jobs. — Norris B., Concord

Let’s ban these but still continue to watch the elites travel in their private planes. All the while, automobiles and motorcycles can rip through towns with ear-popping noise. Once again, Massachusetts is fixating on ridiculous issues. — Hugh J., Lexington

It hurts businesses, and the impact is minimal to the environment compared with flying on an airplane. — Dan, Framingham

Yes, they’re a menace

Get a rake and some exercise. — Brian, Needham

They’re annoying, and some landscapers have no respect for neighbors in terms of the times that they show up and operate machinery. Rakes are always an option. — A Boston.com reader, Arlington

Sometimes it is nonstop for hours in some dense housing areas. Three- or four-man crews show up, and it can be really noisy, and the smell lingers long after they are gone. — Karen U.

These things are incredibly obnoxious. No one likes them. People hate having them blow in their direction. They sound like jet engines, and they just blow crap from one house to my doorstep. All they do is make someone else’s mess my problem. They trigger asthma and are complete overkill for a job that a rake is perfectly suited to. — Brendan, Lynn

The sound transforms neighborhoods into noisy, unpleasant environments that disturb the quiet living people and homeowners want from their neighbors. Lawn companies need to use quieter machinery in keeping with residential services. — A Boston.com reader, Wellesley

General gas lawn tools are stinky and obnoxiously loud. It’s past time to go battery. — Al C., South Carolina

I do not like being awoken by them. — Brian L., Douglas

They are hazardous to people’s health, and they are extremely noisy. — Barbara C., Braintree